To T. H. Huxley   12 March [1869]¹

My dear Huxley

I read Lushington’s letter in a rather hurried manner, as if it had been a printed essay & not addressed to you; & I suppose in consequence of this the offensive passages did not strike me.² Now that they are pointed out I fully agree that he had no right to address them to you; & this I have now told him.³ Assuredly if I had noticed these passages I sh^d have refused to be the channel of communication. I suspect when M^r Lushington urges you to read Comte⁴ he meant to express to study & digest his works. Red-hot disciples do not weigh their words when their master is attacked, & on this plea I hope you will make some allowance. I feel sure that I need not tell you that you are about the last man in England towards whom I w^d consciously offer myself as a channel of offence.

This note requires no answer.

ever yours most truly | Charles Darwin